Gator Bait

I'll put together a 'real' for sale thread and edit this later with all the details of the car. But for those searching right now this is 'Bert' built by Flyin Miata with a few upgrades I've added. The car has 40k original miles on the 1992 chassis and less than 10K on the conversion. The GM Performance Parts crate LS376/480 (GM 'hot cam' and valve spring upgrade from a standard LS3) was dyno tuned to 445hp at the wheels on 91 octane and is more fun than should be legal, and usual isn't.

As many of you know I had been going back and forth with the idea of selling for quite a while with the desire to build or buy something even faster, but life happened and all plans have changed. My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and just had a double mastectomy and we're looking at 4-5 months of chemo. The car will get no use and frankly I'd rather pad the account in this type of situation. That's not to say I have to sell and will not be giving it away so please no low ball offers. Not interested in any trades.

Asking price is $36K.

-Less than 500 miles on 225/45/15 Hankook RS3's
-Flyin Miata VMaxx Classic adjustable suspension. Springs were swapped to the newer set up and ride height set at FM Aug 2014
-FM sway bars front and rear
-Wilwood front brakes and rear brake upgrade (11" rotors, adjustable proportioning valve, and steel braided lines all 4 corners)
-Hard Dog sport roll bar (no diagonals)


https://www.flyinmiata.com/V8/Bert/

https://www.flyinmiata.com/V8/turnkey.php











I'll add all the details soon, just wanted to get it up here for interested parties to consider. I'll likely have it listed on FM's site once I get some pro pictures taken since the cars they built listed there tend go quite quickly.

charchri4

I was about to click thumbs down but not in your situation. GLWS and Gods speed to your lovely wife.

rochesterricer

Sorry to hear about your situation. Hope everything works out okay.

Gator Bait

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. She is recovering from the double mastectomy well and will be starting approx 5 months of chemo in a couple of weeks. Prognosis is very good. Just have to get through to the other side. She's out wig shopping today. Or as the prescriptions says, "cranial prosthesis".

charchri4

Meh if anyone can pull off looking stunning with no hair it's your bride!

garret

Hope everything goes well for you guys, and GLWS!

flipt86

Beautiful car... and thanks for all of the helpful info you have posted over the last year/months. I feel like I've learned a lot from you and the others on this forum as I get deeper into my conversion. Prayers sent from TN for you and your wife.

Shizu44

Hi,

Your knowledge is highly valuable and Bert is wonderful, congratulations.

I sincerely hope all is going well now for your wife and yourself.

May I ask you a few questions ?

What is shown on Bert's Title ? Mazda ? Is it an US officially approved car after transformation from "xx" car maker ? (FM ?)

If "Mazda" car maker on the title, in Europe local authorities will come back to Mazda (asking "did you approved modifications ?"), and I know (have checked) Mazda would then answer negatively and the car would get forbidden to go on roads.

Same for insurance.

A special car may be approved in Europe if fully approved in every details and registered AFTER modifications, same as if of US origin, then approved in detail in the US.

European car Title gives all technical details of the car.
E.g. : we are not authorized to change the tyres dimensions at all ... Title gives all technical details and after no modification is allowed.

We are allowed to build special cars and then they are approved in detail. And after NO modification ...

If you could help me understand US culture about swaps and car improvement, and how it is presented on the Title, I would be very grateful

Gator Bait

In the US Title requirements differ by state. In Texas, we have no requirement to notify any authority of any modifications. The main restrictions are around emissions and those differ depending on the year of the car. My Miata passes the Texas requirements without issue. The car is titled as its VIN indicates, a 1992 Mazda Miata. The drive train makes no difference.

Insurance is also governed differently by state. My insurance carrier (State Farm) insures it as per the VIN also. In working with my agent to get it insured I did notify them of the modifications, but the focus was on my being compensated in case of theft or otherwise 'totaled'. It was determined that a normal full coverage policy would be my best option since the modifications and the cost of the modification is very well documented by Flying Miata and the carrier compensates for aftermarket modifications.

Shizu44

Thanks Michael for your very clear answer.

It explains why it is so common in the US, these wonderful Miata V8 "vette".

And why we have no one V8 in Europe, after 25 years of Miata (and probably 3 times more Miata in Europe than in the US), with only a few 150HP Rover engines made in UK.

I nearly bought one Miata V8, got its tittle, did the administrative process for approval (Mazda, local authorities in France, Germany, Luxembourg) and ... stopped, because today I do not know how to get one of those marvelous machines approved for our European roads.

This stops me from buying one and starting the process of transportation/import/homologation/insurance, that I would love to do, and promote such "right size, strong engine", solution.

I keep searching. If somebody has and Idea I would love to look at it

Mike
2012 NC Shizuka

Gator Bait

"If you see a cop, don't stop!"

It takes a lot of car to run with an LS3 Miata.

Shizu44

and run ... how fast is Bret in top speed ?

Gator Bait

He ran a 125mph in the 1/4 mile. I have not tested terminal speed for fear of the test being terminal.

Shizu44

Let us be creative : "after approval process (maximum 4 months), that it will not pass, you buy Brent back and I resent it to you".

Bret keep its Texas registration and identification all the way long.

I pay import taxes and VAT at the arrival in France and you pay again the same when entering Bret back in the US. Plus transportation costs back and forth.

When I get rich we can do it ...

Shizu44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o-g...ature=youtu.be

Gator Bait

SOLD. New owner post pending.

Dr Dave

Now sporting IN plates ......


https://www.v8miata.net/introduction...721/#post19104

charchri4

Hummm. I'm glad it has a happy ending but can't give a thumbs up because I am rather fond of the prior owner! You've got a great car in Mr Bert there Dr Dave!

jackie

Gator...I'm very sorry to hear about your wife. I will pray for her to have complete recovery.

New owner...you got a very fast car. I got to see it's tail lights running away from me at the Ennis Motorplex. I was hoping to have a rematch some day after installing a rear mount turbo. Oh well.......

Gator Bait

Might have something for you to chase...here's a tease of something I'm going kick the tires on this weekend...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4qm4r75ix2...%20PM.mov?dl=0

charchri4

Love the color and exhaust note. Very classy!

Gator Bait

485whp NA. It would receive an SC straight away. BUT...at this point...just tire kicking...

ToySnakePMC

I grow more fond of C6's every day. C7's... Not so much IMHO.
Beautiful car and tires to kick, for sure! Let us know what happens. Cam and exhaust or what mods are we listening to?

Gator Bait

Cam, heads, headers, full exhaust, tune.... And a nice audio system.

But it's on the higher end of price...there are several for sale right now locally for $10k-15k less so I'm not driving the 4 hours each way to see this one. Including a really pretty burgundy one.

I dig the C7's myself, but damn they are cramped inside. I'm a big boy and just don't fit so well. The Miata felt roomier! Then there's the price of admission....

I really don't know what I want. Still trying to talk the wife into letting me turbo LSX swap her 07 Cayman S. She'd be ok with it....if I bought her a NEW Cayman S. IT doesn't pay THAT well! And I really prefer to have no car notes. Unlike our government, I think debt is a bad thing.

Gator Bait

Fun reading old threads and seeing how things change. We ended up buying a 2016 Z51 3LT C7 in shark grey. All the bells and whistles (A8, mag suspension, exposed CF hood and top, sport exhaust, ..., ...). I got it in June 2016 for my wife as our anniversary and her 'gratz for kicking cancer's @ss' present. (all treatments complete now..doing well). I've really grown to enjoy the car. No where as fast and primal as Bert, but it is as refined as the 535 we used to have. It is as quiet and rides smoother than that car did down the hwy. Get's better fuel mileage too! The loud peddle does it job for certain. We do have plans for some go fast(er) parts, but in the middle of packing to move up the road a bit. Buying a bit more property and opening a dog boarding facility. Hoping it'll be a my exit from 'working for the man'. ...changes....